PhD, FAOI, European Ambassador
WCO Myopia Management Navigator
With childhood myopia reaching pandemic levels, WCO Myopia Management Navigator Ambassador, Dr. Síofra Harrington, advocates for the importance of getting outdoors and decreasing screentime to promote healthy eye development.
“I love nature. Whether I’m hiking, taking a walk, swimming, or riding my bike, I prefer to spend my spare time outdoors with my family,” said Dr. Harrington. “Outdoor time is crucial to mitigating against myopia.”
One of Dr. Harrington’s favorite parts about the WCO Myopia Management Navigator is that it provides users with real-life examples that align with the types of patients eye care professionals see in their practice on a day-to-day basis. These include cases involving children who have been exposed to excessive screentime—one of several risk factors highlighted under the mitigation tab. These case-based scenarios give users a chance to see what strategies have worked and what haven’t for other eye care professionals, as well as different communication tactics to use with both patients and parents.
Dr. Harrington’s interest in myopia management first stemmed from seeing firsthand the significant quality of life restrictions that can result from visual impairment caused by high myopia. After observing her own family members navigating these challenges, it reinforced her commitment to reducing the progression of myopia and its associated complications.
The Navigator walks users through every single step of the mitigation, measurement, and management of myopia. No matter where you stand with myopia management in your practice—whether you’re a seasoned eye care professional or just starting out—the Navigator serves as a one-stop shop to keep you organized and help promote myopia management as the standard of care.
Explore the interactive and educational resource for eye care practitioners worldwide
When to wear it
Considerations
Shown to improve confidence and ability to participate in activities.
Typically more availability for astigmats.
No wearing time during waking hours.
Optical correction is still needed.
* Excluding children frequently engaged in water sports.
